The IT support and skills gap is to be addressed as best as possible with the introduction of the UK's first advanced IT apprenticeship, which also hopes to promote the next generation of professionals.

In a collaboration between Strategic Systems Solutions, Leeds College of Technology (LCT), Software AG, IBM and Logicalis, students will be provided with the technology and teaching needed to understand and work with advanced equipment that is being introduced to the market.

Managing director of Logicalis Tom Kelly said that British industry, and in particular the IT industry which was central to the country's current market, was facing a skills "time bomb" which could have a bad effect on the future economy.

He added: "It is critical that private industry and educators collaborate to promote the opportunities and career prospects available, highlighting, in particular, the correlation between science and innovative IT brands, and how these in turn help to make businesses profitable."

Alongside IT, LCT specialises in engineering, electronics and a range of apprenticeships.

A recent Connect survey found that the two major concerns about outsourcing services like IT support were 'loss of control' (56 per cent) and 'budget over-runs' (43 per cent)